Sunday, January 8, 2012

List review

In 2011, for the first time, I wrote a list. A list of things I would aspire to do/ be during the year. I really liked my list. I didn't print it out. I should have- it would have made it more of a 'working/ inspiring document' that it was- having said that- it was interesting to re read and see just how many of these I got done, and/ or still aspire to. I am going to right another list for 2012. Until then, let me 'check off' this one...

look into peoples eyes when I am talking to them- not in
a creepy way, just give my attention
-generally, I think, yes I did/ do this and want to continue

go outside more often- this one I needed written on my wall! I did go outside more, mostly for walks, I would like be go outside just to hang and out 'be'...

put things back where they belong after I have finished
with them (hmm, be tidier)-hmm, depends who you ask I think. I actually tried to get rid of stuff so I had less to actually put away! Overall, I still aspire to this, and (sigh), it's a work in progress...

finish my sentences (I tend to drift off, forgetting that
there is a listener involved who can't necessarily read my thoughts)
I think I am getting heaps better at this- slowing the thoughts down, and not assuming prior knowledge to the goings on in my head. But if I ever don't finish a sentence on you- please prompt me!

swim
in the ocean. Swim anywhere, actually, but the ocean is always
great.yep, I still love this- I swam in the ocean today actually. Brilliant.

walk 10km all in one gogee, I forgot I wrote that- what was I thinking? Funny thing is, I did do this. My friend Cheryl and I participated in the Tat200 10km walk event. It was really fun., Cheryl made sure we kept the pace up! Aside from that, I also did two other walking 'events' with Karen. When I say 'with' what I mean is she was doing the 8km running events and because she's lovely, she hung around and waited for me and cheered me in as I did the 8km walking events (this time last year I don't think I even knew these events existed!). I am going to more of these kinds of things this year.

ride the Beechworth- Bright rail trail with our
friends.tick. And it was fantastic and I would do it all over again, and hope we do

read a book every month (at least), and stretch myself in
my choices of book
-nah, I didn't do much reading last year. I still like reading and will aim for a book a month again!

make an effort to spend time with my friends -I don't think I spent enough time with friends this year. I was surprised when my crafty friend Carolyn said the other day that the reason we don't do more craft together is because I am the one who is always busy. She was surprised that I was surprised! I did get a weekend away with friends at Sewjourn which was pretty lovely. We didn't see as much of our family friends as we have in other years- but really, June- September were a bit of a write-off because the fruit trees were nuts this year!I have to work out balance here...

practice being in the present- be mindful- no need to
drift offwork in progress- next step- multi task less and have less tabs open on my computer screen at once

do something creative everydayfail. and when I am creative, I remember how much it grounds me and I need it. Still on the list!

make yoghurt instead of buying itnope, forgot it was on the list. Don't think I eat as much yoghurt as I used to!

write (and don't forget to post) letters
regularlyyes- although there was still a decent amount that didn't get posted.

have more hand made Christmas decorations than store
boughtforgot it was on the list, although, we probably did, it was thanks to the school age children, not their mother!

play with my childrenyep, but I am much better at this in the holidays. I didn't know I could be such a 'control freak' and need to have 'everything' sorted out before I could just stop and play. Carcassonne is a bit of a favourite. I definitely want to play more.

cook with my children...about that 'control freak' thing. I did abit of cooking with the children, but not anything really to note.

listen to music- always enjoy it when I do, just forget
to put it onyes, I bought myself a little ipod nano in July- Happy Birthday me- so I listen on that, mostly.

smile and laugh- a lotprobably not as much as I would have liked, I had some fun and happy times but overall 2011 was a hard one that I was happy to see the back off.

take more photos (see number 3. give the camera a home so
I can always find it!)yes, well, ahem, the camera hasn't even come on holidays with us this time (is this where I admit that I couldn't find it as we were packing!) My phone has a camera on it, though, so I do have some holiday photos

write a tutorial for my bloggee, I wonder what I thought I was going to write a tutorial about. I am open to suggestions!

make some collagesone, the 9 year old and I each did one during a crafty session one day

start a hexagon quiltI started and finished a hexagon quilt- but that wasn't what I was referring too. I have started a hand pieced hexagon quilt, and I worked on it tonight actually. On my mums spare bed, she has two quilts- a hexagon one she did and a hexagon quilt my grandma made, I must take a photo to show you. I want to add my hexagon quilt to that pile!

finish a rag rugthe rag rug is still in the unfinished projects pile, I still like it, but haven't worked on it for a while

exercise at least three times a week
probably, overall I have. One of the 'most admirable' (!) exercise things I did (in my opinion) was do pilates once a week for the second half of the year- that's a big commitment for me!

go to bed earlier and get up earlierI need this one printed somewhere I will see it- it's 11.41pm as I type and the young boy will, no doubt wake up just after 6am and I will here him getting his breakfast and be annoyed a) that I am a light sleeper and b) that I went to bed so late.

own less books at the end of the year than at the start
of the yearyep. I my love affair with my library was reignited, when I realised I could basically order any book in from almost any library in Victoria and have it sent to my local- all over the internet with no fee attached. I have some recent Burda magazines to pick up when I get home, actually, yey! I have hardly bought any books, and I have dispatched quite a few, with more to go

use fresh herbs in my cookingI think I did do this more- but generally with the trusty hardy perenials like sage, thyme, rosemary, chives and less coriander and basil (because I was crap at watering them)

eat seasonally from the garden and don't whinge about
having a hankering for broccoli or asparagus when it's not time!
sort of, we've had some amazing fruit, as well as great garlic, spuds, asparagus and a few other things, but I think our garden was abit less abundant this year. The garderner may dispute this!

grow tulipsgreat idea. Forgot it was on the list, I want to grow tuips this year!

sew some clothing for megee, really- I was thinking this last January? I have progressed to patterns and fabric stage (wrap dress) and made some basic trackies for me

keep a 'thoughts to get back to' note book. And get back
to them.HA- as if! That would get very full very quickly- surely the good ideas won't need to be written down 'to get back to'(?)

spend less time on the computer...
yes, (this may be disputed)- but not by choice- we had dodgy probs with Telstra for several months interupting my computer usage. What I really need is 'wiser' use of my computer time.

attend the newly initiated 'first Sunday book club' with
Mr. Apple (it's only us two!)fizzled- we got through one book, I think it just didn't become a habit- still aspired to though

Generally make time for, prioritise and nurture my close
relationshipsI'd still like to do much better at this

drink more water I'd still like to do much better at this too!

do regular stretching or yoga Abovementioned pilates counts.

chuck stuff that I do not love or use outyes, and there's more to be chucked

keep a journalspasmodically successful

take the children to the snowbummer- forgot about this- surely in 2012 we can make it to the snow

go campingyes- for a couple of days post rail trail bike ride. And we have even been talking 'tent purchase' as a Christmas present (late, I realise that)

spend some time in silence each day
no, but again, I think I need to, to collect myself each day.

eat when I am hungry, stop when I am full
not always, but more frequently. Overall I would say that my 'eating behaviour' is alot better that it has been, I am eating breakfast most days (that's new for me), probably eating smaller portions and less food overall, without being 'obsessive'. I have lost a decent amount of weight in 2011...and still have a decent amount of weight to lose!

be generous
that's a funny one to comment on myself- I am sure I can always be more generous

contribute to my communityI could do more. I did my forth year on our School council and second year as President, which I will be very happily handing over in March!

be bravework in progress, that bravery thing, but I think I have been pretty damn brave at times this year

Well, what a lot of words, and no photos!

I think it was worthwhile doing a list, despite lack of ongoing reference to it! It's interesting to reread (I wonder why making yoghurt got in my 'top 46'!)...I will ponder this years list and get something down- otherwise, before I know it, it will be December.

6 comments:

You like to set yourself a lot of challenges, Tanya! That's a very long list which would put me off a bit (I'd file the list "somewhere safe" and never look at it again!!).

My mental list is quite short this year: 1. be more tolerant (I'm a total control freak and like things done my way!) 2. focus on having fun rather than getting through all the chores 3. be more adventurous (I often let my health problems get in the way of doing things I want to do) 4. more craft time!! To do all that consistently is a bit of a tall order, but I'll have a go.

And I'm flirting with the idea of doing the couch potato to 5k programme ... maybe!!

Great list Tanya. I could just copy and paste as so many points are relevant to me too. I'm sure we'll never accomplish everything and there's always room for improvement, but the awareness is there. So give yourself a pat on the back.

I love that you dd so well with your list. I also love that you could find it after 12 months as I would struggle at my house and on my pc!! In fact I probably would forget that I had even made a list!I think of lots of things briefly and then forget them and later wish that I had done them.Maybe I need to follow your lead and write them down and actually do them.Good luck with the 2012 list.